Uttar Pradesh: BBAU Controversy Deepens as Four Students Suspended for Three Months - Read Full Story

Lucknow- Four students have been suspended from Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) for a duration of three months. Among them, three students are pursuing their final semester studies, while one student is in the second semester.

All 23 students who were sent to jail were granted bail on Friday morning, and they were released from jail on Saturday. After their release, these students reached the university in the evening and garlanded the Dr. Ambedkar statue. They demanded the registration of a case against the security personnel who assaulted them, removal of the guilty officers, and withdrawal of the case registered against the students.

It is noteworthy that the students at BBAU had raised concerns about the university's alleged ban on organizing programs related to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar to commemorate his birth anniversary.

Additionally, they pointed out an incident during Ram Navami where a DJ was brought onto the campus without permission for a program. In response to these grievances, the students visited the Vice Chancellor's residence on April 17, to express their discontent with the administration's discriminatory behavior. However, they allege that during this encounter, security personnel arrived in large numbers and physically assaulted them.

Furthermore, the students claim that a fake case was registered against them at the instigation of the university administration after they were beaten by the security personnel. They demanded the resignation of Proctor Sanjay Kumar and urged for action to be taken against individuals involved in the assault, including SIS Supervisor Vinay Pratap and security officer B.S. Saini, for whom an FIR was registered.

A report was filed against 25 individuals, including four university students, by the area manager of the security agency stationed at BBAU. Allegedly, the students had initiated a strike in protest against unilateral actions.

In response, University Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjay Singh formed an investigation committee to address the grievances and promised action against those responsible. However, despite these assurances, the protesting students continued their strike and even initiated a hunger strike.

As the strike persisted for five days, the students' health deteriorated, exacerbated by the intense heat. Despite facing health challenges, the students remained steadfast in their protest. Eventually, due to worsening health conditions, three students had to be admitted to Lok Bandhu Raj Narayan Hospital. Throughout the protest, several students fainted multiple times due to the harsh conditions.

Following news of the deteriorating health of protesting students, there was agitation at the protest site. Around 12 noon on Thursday, City Magistrate, ADCP, ACP, Ashiana Inspector, and Registrar of BBAU met with the protesting students.

Despite multiple attempts to negotiate and end the protest until 10 pm, the students remained steadfast. Subsequently, a heavy police force arrived at the university at 11 pm and detained 26 students, who were then admitted to Gosainganj CHC for testing.

Among them, three female students were released from the CHC by the police, while 23 students were sent to jail the next morning. However, Bhim Army's legal team secured bail for all 23 students, who were released from jail on Saturday.

Upon their release, the students returned to the university in the evening and adorned the statue of Dr. Ambedkar with garlands. Their demands included registering a case against the security personnel involved in the assault, removing responsible officers, and withdrawing the case against the students.

Among the students who were suspended by the university administration include Ashwani Kumar, Alok Kumar Rao, Vikas Kumar, and Rahul Kumar. During this period, they are prohibited from entering the university campus. Akhil Azad of Bhim Army mentioned, "Rahul and Vikas are history students, while Ashwani is studying sociology. They are all in their final semester. Alok Kumar is a second-semester student of public administration."